Dictionary
Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.
run before en · VERB
Meanings
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(archaic, transitive) To flee from (something); to run away from (something).
Thou runnest before me, shifting every place,
and darest not stand, nor look me in the face
1600, William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream, page 73:In such wise did Helgi
Deal fear around To all his foes
And all their friends
As when the goat runneth
Before the wolf's rage
Filled with mad fear
Down from the fell
1888, Ernest Rhys, editor, Songs from the Edda, page 166:
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(archaic) To precede (something); to anticipate (something).
although calumnie often starteth first and runneth before, yet veritie follow followeth her at the heels
1638, A. Jhonston, Acts of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Edinburgh, page 34:Thy tongue runneth before thy wit.
1858, John Heywood, edited by John S. Farmer, The Proverbs of John Heywood, London, page 205:
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(archaic, intransitive) To excel or be better than someone.
Thou runnest before rightly
1609, Boethius, Boethius: The Theological Tractates, page 309:
Forms